2005 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Clos Pepe

The most monolithic effort here is the spicy, sweet and sour cherry-flavored, medium-bodied 2005 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe. This big wine holds its 15.9% alcohol remarkably well, coming across like a tightly knit 1993 red Burgundy, such as a premier cru Beaune. The Clos Pepe reveals zesty acidity along with attractive spicy, cinnamon, and pomegranate notes, but is firmly knit. Give it 2-3 years of bottle age and drink it over the next 12-15. Tel. (805) 735-9184; Fax (805) 735-9185